My First IEP Meeting

I can remember going into my first Individual Education Program (IEP) meeting with a knot in my stomach and feeling completly overwhelmed. I sat through the meeting and tried my best to keep up with everything the team was saying. The goals, the acronyms, and overall information. I left and as soon as I walked in the door I called my good friend and cried, I tried to talk but my words would not come out. I remember my friend saying just let it all out! When I was done crying I told my friend that I felt overwhelmed at everything my daughter could not do. Every part of the meeting seemed way over my head! How could I be my daughter’s voice if I did not understand the process?

If you can relate to this you are not alone! One thing that really helped me over the last 11 years is having tools and strategies that could help me understand the special education programs and the IEP document.

I wanted to share with you my favorite tool for preparing for my daughter’s IEP meeting! This three-part IEP checklist is a real lifesaver! It breaks down what you need to do before, during and after your IEP meeting.